My Son’s Transplant Experience Taught Me That Practice Makes Perfect
Due to pulmonary hypertension (PH), my son was on the transplant list for almost a year when he received the call that a heart and lungs were available. We were prepared for an…
Life as a Caregiver — Colleen Steele
Colleen Steele was born and raised in New Jersey and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Immaculata University in 1994. Her oldest child was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension when he was 8. At 14, he received a heart and double-lung transplant. Colleen’s love for writing, experience advocating for her son, and determination to spread PH awareness inspired her to become a columnist and forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News in 2019. In her column, “Life as a Caregiver,” Colleen is open and honest about caring for her son, his PH experiences, and life post-transplant. Her ambition is to educate and inspire others facing similar challenges and encourage them to share their journey. If you are a caregiver and would like to be interviewed, contact Colleen at [email protected].
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In loving memory of a good neighbor
Cornered. That is how my son Cullen, 25, and our family felt when he was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2008. But being cornered isn’t as scary when you look around and…
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Taking Turns While Sharing Responsibility for Our Son’s PH Care
When my husband and I said our vows, “To have and to hold … in sickness and in health,” we had no idea to what extent that promise would be tested. Our child’s diagnosis…
Walking Together: My Sons’ High School Graduation Was Extra Special
My son’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was idiopathic, which means it developed suddenly with no known cause. He was healthy until he became symptomatic at 6 years old. Before then, we only brought…
The Hidden Truths About My Strength
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve been described as strong, but what if people knew my weaknesses, unfathomable sadness, and heartbreaking mistakes? As a caregiver to my son, I’ve had…
Am I a Caregiver or a Mom?
I struggled with the title for my column because what I write about will be from my perspective as caregiver to my son. However, using the word “caregiver” was bothering me because who I…
